Fine 19th-Century Sorrento Marquetry Liqueur Casket - 10¼" x 13½"

A charming petite Italian cave à liqueur from the late 19th century, veneered in warm walnut with mixed fruitwood marquetry and ebonized molded edges. The lid features a black-ground oval reserve inlaid with a Cupid trophy - a ribbon-tied bow and quiver entwined with flowering sprays- framed by zigzag and geometric banding, a motif that is echoed on the casket’s sides. When opened, the box reveals its complete liqueur service in hand-blown and wheel-cut glass: four stoppered decanters set neatly into the base and sixteen cordial glasses arranged in hinged, swing-out racks of stained wood, creating a charming sense of theatrical reveal. One foot has been replaced and there is a small veneer loss on one side, yet the casket overall remains appealing and well preserved.

This form reflects the Grand Tour taste for finely crafted, portable luxuries that could be carried home as elegant souvenirs of Italy. During the 18th and 19th centuries, travelers sought items that embodied local craftsmanship yet were practical enough to accompany them on extended journeys. The Sorrento workshops were especially renowned for their pictorial inlay set against dark walnut reserves, and they catered directly to Grand Tour travelers by producing boxes, games tables, and portable cabinets adorned with classical motifs and romantic allegories.

An elegant accent for a library, dining room, or bar, it reads beautifully on a sideboard or console, where lamplight will pick up the warm veneers and the soft shimmer of the glass. Keep it stocked with digestifs for after-dinner service, or leave it open on a buffet to showcase the complete service. Its compact scale allows it to anchor a vignette with books and a small lamp, adding a note of classical romance to both traditional and transitional interiors.